Wednesday Devo
Scripture:
1 Peter 2
13 For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority—whether the king as head of state, 14 or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right. 15 It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. 16 For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. 17 Respect everyone, and love the family of believers. Fear God, and respect the king.
13 For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority—whether the king as head of state, 14 or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right. 15 It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. 16 For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. 17 Respect everyone, and love the family of believers. Fear God, and respect the king.
Commentary:
2:13–14 Christians are to be subject to every civil authority (cf. Rom. 13:1–7). To punish (Gk. ekdikēsis, “justice, punishment, retribution”) includes not just deterring evil but carrying out retribution against those who do evil (see note on Rom. 13:4). By contrast, governments are to praise or reward those who do good, thus encouraging more good behavior.
2:15 The godly lives of believers will put to silence any false charges raised against them.
2:16 Freedom in Scripture is not a license to sin but expresses itself in devotion to what is good (cf. Gal. 5:13–14).
2:17 everyone. All people deserve the same honor and respect as the emperor. Only God is to be feared. Believers should have a tender love for each other as members of the same family.
Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2408.
2:15 The godly lives of believers will put to silence any false charges raised against them.
2:16 Freedom in Scripture is not a license to sin but expresses itself in devotion to what is good (cf. Gal. 5:13–14).
2:17 everyone. All people deserve the same honor and respect as the emperor. Only God is to be feared. Believers should have a tender love for each other as members of the same family.
Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2408.
Questions:
- Politics is one place that culture tells us we must all be on either one extreme or the other. It says there is no middle ground. The problem with that is that if we are faithfully weighing our political stances against what scripture teaches, there will be tension with both political parties. What are some ways that we can keep political differences from causing division within the church? How have you seen politics damage relationships, and how do we avoid this?
- If we are going to be faithful Christ-followers who are engaged politically, we must have balance. Gospel-centered CITIZENSHIP means we can disagree POLITICALLY but still love UNCONDITIONALLY and be united MISSIONALLY. This is what spiritual maturity looks like in a politically charged world. This looks like listening with the intention of understanding someone else's point of view instead of making assumptions about that person or jumping to negative conclusions. Why is this so difficult for us to do? How can we have softer hearts towards other believers when it comes to political differences?
Pray:
- That your faith would inform your politics.
- That you would learn to love others that have different opinions and platforms.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
4. Can a person be good enough to go to heaven? No. Because Jesus rose from the dead, proving He is God, I believe a person is saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
(John 1:12, 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 4:1-25, 5:1-2, 6-11, 6:23, 10:1-4, 10:9; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:1-9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Titus 3:4-7)
(John 1:12, 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 4:1-25, 5:1-2, 6-11, 6:23, 10:1-4, 10:9; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:1-9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Titus 3:4-7)
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